Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

Geraldine Bridge - The beautiful bridge that is built across a stream in the outskirts of Peyton.

When she was in high school, the cool kids who are dating the popular kids and those who own a car will brag if they come here for "dates". Since it was used to be a spot for drug dealers before, there were curfews in place to go to that bridge.

Sneaking to the bridge with their dates has been like a rite of passage to adulthood back then.

It seems like it still is.

She could see a couple of second-hand cars parked around and she could already guess what would be going on there.

"Joel, why are we here?" she asked digging his arm with her fingers.

"We're on a date!" he grinned and looked around. "When I was in school, Bobby would brag that he brought Scar here and those two would mock me because I didn't have a girlfriend to bring-" he stopped himself.

"I just wanted to bring you here... you know, just like that," he turned to look at her.

"Really?" Jerlina said swallowing her laughter.

By the meticulous preparations, it didn't seem like he brought her here "just like that".

Joel... Joel...

When he was a teenager, this was the spot for the popular kids too? He had no one to bring to this spot back then... And now he brought me here?

Isn't that... sweet?

Jeremy saw her weird expression and wondered if she was unimpressed. He was a little disappointed seeing her face because he has a lot of plans."You're not mad I am not bringing you to an expensive restaurant for our first date, right?"

"Am I the first woman you're bringing here?" she asked holding his sleeve.

She wanted to hear from him that she is the first and the only one he brought here.

"Well," with an embarrassed smile he scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, I never dated and..." he could see she was impressed and his embarrassment turned to pride. "You're the only girl I am bringing here."

Jerlina was lost for words."...Okay," she said after composing herself. Her eyes misted a bit.

"You..? Have you ever-" he asked.

He knew she has dated before. She was with a guy for seven years and she probably went on countless dates. He knew a normal date in a fancy restaurant or to the movies won't be making much of an impression on her.

And so he carefully chose this spot.

He guessed this would be her first time here. He wished this is her first time here.

"I couldn't ride this far on a bike..."

Jerlina shrugged. It's not like she never wanted to be here. She was told this is a scenic place. But she never had the time to visit here. She was too busy studying and working.

"I figured..." Jeremy was really happy.

She didn't even think of coming here with a boy!

"What did you figure?" Jerlina asked and Jeremy smirked.

Only then Jerlina realized why this guy was smirking.

"Oi! It's not like I didn't have any boy who asked me out, right? The most popular quarterback asked me out. I," she puffed her chest and patted proudly. "I refused him."

"That's so believable..." Jeremy snorted.

"I am not lying though," Jerlina pulled his collar. She didn't like to be mocked.

"Who?" Jeremy knitted his brows.

This one used to dress like a twelve-year-old boy and kept her head down all the time. He didn't think any boy would have considered her as a "woman" he wanted to date.

And he was pretty sure he was her first. He wished the bloodstain on his jeans that night they did "it" was because it was her first time.

Otherwise... it just means that he hurt her. But he didn't remember him being that rough with her. Yet...

Ugh! Why can't she remember that night? Should I just ask her? But what if she gets mad and thinks that I took liberty with her while she was drunk?

What should I do?

But who was brave enough to ask her out? Even I couldn't gather my courage!

Or is she bluffing?

Quarterback, huh? When she was in school...

"Was it Heinz?" he asked and there was no reaction in her face. "Hardy? No? Ah, was it Jensen?" he asked and saw a slight reaction in her face. "That one bragged that he'd sleep with every unmarried woman in the town. So he asked you out?"

"Stop!" Jerlina hit his arm.

She knew all that, okay? He didn't have to repeat it!

Jeremy laughed.

"He now has three kids and is rocking a dad-bod. Did you know that?" he laughed.

He even thought someone asked her out seriously. And yeah, he was a little jealous too. Thankfully this one is smart and didn't agree to date him.

"Really?" Jerlina shrugged.

She could see Jeremy was jealous of some guy who asked her out a long time ago. And she didn't know why that gave a fuzzy feeling in her heart.

"If he settled, then that is good, right?"

She didn't even want to talk about that guy. And sitting in the car, Jeremy's pine scent was everywhere and she felt warm as if she was embraced by him.

Why would this guy even bother with that guy she didn't even think about twice? Who can reach his standard in this entire world? Who can love her as much as he does?

"And..." Jerlina took in a deep breath. "Who will stand a chance against you, Joel? You're..." she bit her lips.

"I am what?" Jeremy leaned closer to Jerlina.

His breath fell on her face. "You are..."

"I am..?" his voice went deeper and the distance between them gradually reduced.

"You're my..."

You're my first kiss, first guy, and first husband... Should I tell him that?

Ugh! I really wish he was my first love and my first boyfriend.

Maybe he was my first love. Although I was drunk, it is not like me to sleep with a guy I had no feelings for. I've gotten drunk after that, but I never went as far as to sleep with anyone.

But does the past matter anymore?

Look at him... this hunk of a man has me in his heart.

Just me and no one else!

He was thinking of me for years and now he brought me here, a place I've never been before.

"Joel, I..." she leaned closer.

She wanted to kiss him.

Her eyes met with his as she placed her hand on his cheek. His eyes were filled with expectation and her heart started to pound. She felt butterflies in her stomach - the good kind.

Jeremy saw her watery eyes and her lips parted a bit as she got closer to him. His heart pounded as he realized that she was about to kiss him.

She will, right?

Her fragrance was overwhelming and he fixed the bunch of hair falling on her cheek and cupped her cheek. As she reached closer, she closed her eyes and he felt like floating in space.

She IS going to kiss me!

*Honk* *Honk*

The loud horn of a truck behind them disturbed them and Jerlina pulled back and looked at the back. The headlights of the truck behind were glaring and she squinted her eyes.

"Who the..." Jeremy fisted his hands. He wanted to tear that fool who disturbed them to shreds.

"I thought no one was allowed here after six... but why are they here..?"

He slammed open the door.

Jerelina couldn't help but giggle seeing the veins popping out of his forehead. He was really mad.

"Probably to do the same thing we were about to do?"She raised her brows and he turned to look at her.

"You little..." he clenched his jaws and more than anger, he was just impatient. "After handling them, I'll come back and-"

Jerlina smiled coyly. "What will you do?"

Standing out of the car, he took in a deep breath. Looking at him, Jerlina felt like time has slowed down.

He is so handsome!

The lights from the truck behind made beautiful contours in his face and he looked hot. The horns were still blaring and she saw him closing his eyes and letting out a breath as if he was meditating.

His adam's apple bobbed and he opened his eyes and looked at her. His beautiful eyes looked like marbles in that light and his lips visible through his facial hair, pressed to a line.

"Wait here for me..."  he hissed, his voice low like a peal of distant rolling thunder. Then he glanced at her for a moment and the passion in his eyes made her heart skip a beat. Closing the door gently, he turned towards the truck behind.

"What are you doing here at this time?" Jeremy walked towards the truck.

"Same thing as you, TJ!" Jerlina heard the young guy giving a snarky reply although he seemed to be surprised to see Jeremy here.

"Aren't you Jason's son?" Jeremy asked. "Your father's bragging that you're going to become a neurosurgeon and you're here at this time? Isn't it time for the finals? You..." he pointed at the girl getting out from a car that was parked to their right, "You're Lydia's granddaughter, aren't you? What are you..!"

And then she saw Jeremy opening the door of every vehicle there and he started shouting at the kids there like a grumpy old man.